Ted Covington recalls being responsible for setting up a fire direction center for the Artillery during the amphibious landing on Leyte. He goes on to describe how the war correspondents were broadcasting mopping up operation reports while US troops were actively engaged with the Japanese.
Ted describes how captured documents revealed the Japanese over estimated the US fighting strength on Luzon. As the result, his unit was largely left alone during the advance to Manila. Upon arrival in Manila, resistance would again heat up.
Ted recalls the liberation of Santo Thomas University in Manila. He describes how the Japanese soldiers guarding the Allied prisoners negotiated the surrender of the University to include their release back to their own lines. The unarmed Japanese soldiers were allowed to evacuate the University unharmed by American troops. The local Filipinos were not so generous.
He finishes by recalling how a lone Japanese sniper held up the American advance for half a day until being outflanked. Prior to being killed, the sniper booby trapped himself which ended up killing 2 or 3 American soldiers when one attempted to retrieve a souvenir.
See more videos featuring Ted Covington here:
• Artillery Veteran Summ...
About the Veteran: Major Edmund 'Ted' Covington, Jr. served with the US Army in the 1st Cavalry Division, 61st Field Artillery Battalion, during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater fighting the Japanese Army during the war. His service spanned many campaigns including New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands, Leyte, the Philippines, and the Army of Occupation in Japan. He would earn 2 Bronze Stars with Oakleaf Cluster as well as 2 Air Medals during his service.
#WW2 #Veteran #Interview
15 ноя 2021
